Pirates name Jeff Locke to rotation, Vance Worley heads to bullpen

Locke wasn't at his best this spring, giving up 10 earned runs in 13 2/3 innings while posting a 9:5 K:BB ratio, but he is still set to open the season in the rotation. He went 7-6 with a 3.91 ERA and 89:40 K:BB ratio in 131 1/3 innings in 2014.

Vance Worley, who was Locke's primary competition for the role, will head to the bullpen after allowing 10 earned runs in 17 innings while striking out 11 and walking one.

"With these two men … we wrestled all over with this, right down to their ages. And they're both 27," Hurdle said. per MLB.com. "Both worked so hard and wanted to be the guy. We looked at the [time] Jeff has been in the [Pittsburgh] uniform. We feel that getting out of the gate, we wanted to start with Locke in the rotation."

Pirates P Vance Worley gives up five runs in losing effort Thursday

by Sean d'Oliveira | CBSSports.com

(3/26/15) Pirates pitcher Vance Worley had his worst outing of spring training during Thursday's game against the Braves.

Worley pitched six innings, but gave up five runs and seven hits, including one home run. He did not walk a batter and struck out three. He received a no-decision.

Worley is competing with Jeff Locke for the final rotation spot in the Pirates' rotation. In four appearances this spring, Worley has produced a 5.29 ERA.

"It's going to be a tough decision," manager Clint Hurdle said, per triblive.com. "I don't think we can make a bad choice. Obviously, one guy will be happier than the other. We need to make a decision sooner than later just so they can both post up with what they're going to do next."

After overcoming some injury issues that plagued him in 2013 with the Twins, Worley bounced back in a big way in 2014 -- his first season with the Pirates. He went 8-4 with a 2.85 ERA and 1.21 WHIP in 18 outings (17 starts).

2014 summary: Harkening back to his "Vanimal" days as a surprise rookie standout for the Phillies in 2011, Vance Worley rediscovered himself in his first year in Pittsburgh, as so many have under pitching coach Ray Searage. He rediscovered his mechanics after an injury-plagued year, and the result wasn't just a 2.85 ERA but also more Head-to-Head points per game than Scott Kazmir, Alex Cobb and Homer Bailey.

Playing time status: Of course, with all of Searage's successes and the new wave of young pitchers gearing up for the majors, Worley isn't assured a rotation spot. He is the favorite going in, though, with Jeff Locke being his primary competition.

2015 outlook: Worley would probably be more hyped as a sleeper if the fifth spot was 100 percent his. He's been a success in the past and seems to have a clear explanation for the turnaround. Then again, starting pitcher is so deep these days that he may just be excess in mixed leagues, so you can pass him up for now in those formats.
(Updated 2/23/15)